wrong, wrongly

wrong, wrongly
Wrong is both an adjective and an adverb. It is correct to say "That's the wrong attitude to take" and "Everything went wrong that day." Wrongly, an adverb only, should be used before a verb: "The word was wrongly pronounced." Wrong in its adverbial function is preferred over wrongly in a statement such as "I was quoted wrong," but wrongly is not incorrect in such constructions. Wrong appears in numerous everyday expressions that have become trite: "wrong tack," "get in wrong," "wrong side of the tracks," "in the wrong," and "go wrong." Possible substitutes for overworked wrong include wicked, sinful, unjust, reprehensible, evil, bad, crooked, iniquitous, and immoral.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • wrongly — See wrong, wrongly …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • wrong — See wrong, wrongly …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • wrong vs wrongly —   Wrong and wrongly are both adverbs.   Wrong can be used informally instead of wrongly after a verb. In fact it is taking over from the word wrongly.   However, when the adverb comes before the verb we use wrongly .   For example:   Sean Hodgson …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • wrong vs wrongly —   Wrong and wrongly are both adverbs.   Wrong can be used informally instead of wrongly after a verb. In fact it is taking over from the word wrongly.   However, when the adverb comes before the verb we use wrongly .   For example:   Sean Hodgson …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • wrong — like right, exists as an adverb alongside the regularly formed word wrongly. It is mostly used with a limited number of words and means roughly ‘incorrectly’, or ‘astray’, as in We guessed wrong and I said it wrong. In these cases wrongly can… …   Modern English usage

  • Wrongly — Wrong ly, adv. In a wrong manner; unjustly; erroneously; wrong; amiss; as, he judges wrongly of my motives. And yet wouldst wrongly win. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wrongly — wrong ► ADJECTIVE 1) not correct or true; mistaken or in error. 2) unjust, dishonest, or immoral. 3) in a bad or abnormal condition; amiss. ► ADVERB 1) in a mistaken or undesirable manner or direction. 2) with an incorrect result. ► …   English terms dictionary

  • wrong — [rôŋ] adj. [ME, crooked, twisted, wrong < OE wrang < ON rangr, wrangr, wrong, twisted: for IE base see WRING] 1. not in accordance with justice, law, morality, etc.; unlawful, immoral, or improper 2. not in accordance with an established… …   English World dictionary

  • wrongly — wrong|ly [ˈrɔŋli US ˈro:ŋ ] adv 1.) not correctly or in a way that is not based on facts ≠ ↑rightly ▪ Matthew was wrongly diagnosed as having a brain tumour. ▪ His name had been wrongly spelt. 2.) in a way that is unfair or immoral ≠ ↑rightly ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • wrong — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not correct or true; mistaken or in error. 2) unjust, dishonest, or immoral. 3) in a bad or abnormal condition; amiss. ► ADVERB 1) in a mistaken or undesirable manner or direction. 2) with an incorrect result. ► …   English terms dictionary

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